I have 2 of the Zulu 3's. I had 2 old Avcom headsets I bought probably 10 years ago. The quality was about what you'd expect from a $175 headset. I could hear ok but at cruise rpm no one could understand me. I'd have to back off to 4000 rpm or less to be heard. Engine noise (912) was overpowering the transmitter. I had the same problem communicating with my passenger. I'd have to constantly adjust the squelch on my intercom. My a&p buddy offered his Bose ANR for me to try and see if it helped. What a difference! Some of us were meeting for lunch and I talked to one of the other pilots, loud and clear, from 13 miles away. I was amazed when I pushed the ANR switch. Evidently, ANR also reduces transmit noise too. I had an opportunity to buy a Zulu 3 (at dealer cost) with the understanding that if I wasn't satisfied I could return it. I was so impressed I bought a second one. I've since flown with a friend in his Husky with the "top of the line" Bose. They work very well, they're very comfortable and quality is great but I couldn't detect anything about them I liked any better than my Zulu 3's. Price is always an important factor for me so the much lower price of the Zulu 3 made my choice easy. Having tried both Bose and Zulu 3, I feel the Zulu 3 works just as good and is a couple hundred dollars cheaper. They're very comfortable, they have the best cords of any headset I've seen and they have a very good guarantee. I highly recommend the Zulu.